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Ants nest in my composter

lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
in Problem solving
My dalek composter is full of ants and their eggs. The compost is lovely and I want to use it so should I just go ahead? 

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 18,015
    I have that often. I would scuffle it about a bit today and leave them to move their eggs to a more suitable place. Then check in on Sunday, it might be fine to use then. Apart from anything else, I get covered in unpleased ants if I try to use it while they are in residence. A bit of light disturbance should be enough to move them on.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I spread mine out on the garden and the birds get rid of the eggs in no time flat! The ants just relocate and start again.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • FireFire Posts: 18,015
    It depends what kind of set up you have, LG, I guess.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,818
    They nest in there because it's warm and dry.  Spread it out if you can so the ants move on and the birds get the eggs then, when you start again, keep the compost wetter.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
    Ok, thanks everyone. 
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    As Obelixx said, keep it wetter.........it also composts quicker than when it's kept dry.
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